Guests show their love for beer and chocolate and each other at an Allagash Brewing party supporting the American Heart Association.

As proof that Valentine’s Day plans must go on, snow didn’t deter most of the 125 ticket holders for the second annual Beer Hearts Chocolate tasting at Allagash Brewing in Portland, a benefit for the American Heart Association.

“We thought it was a nice link for Valentine’s Day,” said Jill Sacco, Allagash retail and tour manager. “And, for the weather, I think we did pretty well.”

“It’s something different to do for Valentine’s Day, other than the typical dinner out, which we will be doing, too,” said Patrick Curran of Portland.

Four rare beers – Odyssey, Four, Nancy and A Current Affair – were paired with decadent treats from Laura Rudy of La Crème Chocolat in Standish and Haven’s Candies, based in Westbrook.

“How can you beat beer and chocolate?” said Doug Hitchcox of Hollis.

“Our two favorite things,” added Alex Carrier of Falmouth.

“The whole concept of the chocolate with the beer was intriguing,” said Kathy Garrand of Gorham.

“We love Allagash White, and we’ve never been to the brewery before,” said Alex Hart of Westbrook. “We thought it would be a different sort of romantic thing to do.”

And it was a romantic setting, indeed, as couples nursed brews at tables in the candlelit tasting room, while Adam Waxman sang and played guitar and light snow fell outside.

Moya Fry of North Yarmouth was at the party with her friend Lee Burman, making Valentine’s cards for their husbands.

“We’re kind of having a couples’ Valentine’s Day weekend,” said Burman, whose husband is co-owner of Other Half Brewing Company in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“We’ve been friends since we were 8 years old, and we thought we should do something fun together,” said single friends Melissa Grabler of South Portland and Amanda Fierro of Scarborough.

And so they thought of beer. And chocolate. Why not both?

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer based in Scarborough. She can be contacted at:

amyparadysz@gmail.com